Concerned about a Child?

Overview

Integrated Advice and Support Service (IASS)

The Integrated Advice and Support Service provides a single point of contact for professionals and members of the public who want to seek support or raise concerns about a child.

The IASS provides:

an accessible and responsive service
screening assessments to determine appropriate action
advice about support available
referrals to the most appropriate services

Essential Information

There is one IAT Office which covers the whole city. The team contains:

- Referral and Advice Officers who will:
- collect information about the referral
- screen databases to establish whether there has been any previous involvement from children’s services
- input data
- make a recommendation on the outcome of the referral
- Social Workers who will:
- analyse information relating to complex referrals
- Team Managers who will:
- sign off all referrals
There is an Emergency Duty Team (EDT) that provides overnight, weekend and public holiday cover for Children’s Social Care which will be supported by the integrated access teams. The service is for anyone who is in danger and unable to protect themselves, or for those who can not remain in the community without immediate intervention. The team works with a reduced staffing level providing:
- immediate emergency care when necessary
- offering advice to professionals and members of the public
- taking information for service requests which are passed onto the relevant team
We also have a dedicated telephone line to our EDT available to provide a city-wide service outside of normal working hours on 0121 675 4806 including:-

Weekdays: before 8.45 a.m. and after 5:15pm (Mon to Thurs)
Weekends: after 4.15 p.m. on Friday to 8.45 a.m. on Monday
Available all Bank Holidays
The emergency service is available at all times outside normal office hours and is used by referring agencies, for example, West Midlands Police or customers.

A Duty Social Worker will determine the nature and degree of risk based on the initial information received in the referral .
- If you make an enquiry you will be advised of the next steps being taken and the timescales involved
After assessing the initial information received, they will do one of the following:
- visit to establish the nature of the problems first hand
- make sure you receive a service from Children, Young Persons and Families or other appropriate agency
- determine that whilst a service is needed, it does not need to be dealt with outside normal office hours
- determine that you do not need Children, Young Persons and Families help and will suggest alternative solutions
The Equipment Loans Service loans a range of equipment to help people to live independently at home or to help carers. We stock equipment that may assist your needs. If you have computer access you can browse our equipment catalogue at www.bchoice.org once your order has been placed you can collect it from the address below.

Equipment Loan Service
Units 12-15 Mainstream 47
Devon Street
Nechells
Birmingham
B7 4SL

Here are a few examples of the types of equipment you may need:
- Commodes
- Hoist
- Wheelchairs
- Walking Aids
- Handrails
- Grab Rails
- Bath Steps
- Bath Rails
If your case is allocated to a Social Worker they will:
conduct an initial assessment of needs

visit to establish the nature of the problems first hand

speak to and work with the family and child involved

determine what services are needed and make sure you receive a service from Children, Young Persons and Families or other appropriate agency
OR
- determine that you do not need Children, Young Persons and Families help and will suggest alternative solutions
Emergency Duty Team

Telephone: 0121 675 4806

eMail: iasscitywide@birmingham.gov.uk

Integrated Advice and Support Service

Telephone: 0121 303 1888

eMail: iasscitywide@birmingham.gov.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

- Anyone permanently or temporarily resident in Birmingham and whose need is sufficiently urgent that they cannot wait until normal office hours.
- No. We do not charge for this service